UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTEC T ION AGENC Y WASHINGTO N , D.C. 20460

The Honorable Sam Brownback Governor of Kansas 300 SW lOth Avenue, Suite 241S Topeka, Kansas 66612
- 1590 Dear Governor Brownb ack: T HE ADMINISTRATOR

I am writing to summarize the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's recent acti on to address fine particle pollution in your state. As required by the Clean Ai r Act, the EPA has determined whic h areas are meeting the national ambie n t air quality standards for fine particle pollution and whi ch areas must take steps to reduce emissions that contribute to vio l ati ons of the standard. On Decemb er 14, 2012, the EPA strengthened the annual, health
- based fine particle standard from 15.0 micrograms per cubic meter (J.tg/m 3 ) to 1 2.0 J.tg/m3

. T hou s ands of scientific studies have linked exposure to these tiny particle s--approximately 1/3 0th the s ize of a human hair - with serious human health prob le ms including premature death in people with heart and lung disease , n onfatal heart attacks, and increased hospital admissions and doctor and emergency room visits for respiratory and cardiovascula r disease. I apprec i ate the information you and your staff have sha red with the EPA throughout this process to assess fine particle pollution levels in communit ies across your state and the impact of emi ssion sources that could be contribut ing to unhealthy air . After considering your recommendations, reviewing the most recent certified fine particle air quality data for your state and evaluating factors to assess contribution to nearby levels of fine particle po ll ution, I have determined that no area within Kan sas violates th e 2012 standard or contributes to a nearby violation of the s tandard. As a resu l t, the EPA is designating all of Kansas "unclassifiable/attainment." Because air quality monitoring for 2014 is nearly complete, if a state or tribe requests it , the EPA will evaluate the status of an area based on its annual fine particle monit oring data for 2012
- 2014. Ifyou would li ke the EPA to re-evaluate any areas within your state, p lease submit to the EPA, comp lete, quality
- assured and certified air quality data for 2014 by February 27, 2015. The EPA shares responsibility with the states and tribes for managing parti cle pollution levels . Efforts by states and tribes to attain the 1997 and 2006 fine particle pollution standards are already working to reduce unhealthy levels of fine particle pollution. In addition, current and upcoming federal standards and safeguards, including po ll ution reduction rules for power plants, vehicles and fuels will assure steady reductions of fine particle po ll ution and will protect public health in communities across the country .

I nternet Address (URL) • hllp : /lwww
. epa . gov Recycled/Recyclable • Pri nted wi t h Vegetab l e Oil Based Inks on 100% Pos l consumer. P r ocess Chlorine Free Recyc l ed PaperTogether, we have made considerable progress to reduce fine particle pollution. Nationwide , monitored levels of fine particle pollution fell 34 percent s ince 2000 when we first began nationwide monitoring for particles of this size. I am confid e nt this progress will accelerate as together we continue to work towards our shared goal of clean air. For additional informa tion about these designations , please visit our website at: www . epa.gov / pmdesignations .

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me or your staff may contact Mark Rupp, Deputy Associate Adm i nistrato r for Intergovernmental Relations , at rupp.mark@epa.gov or at (202) 564 - 7178. Sincerely,